West to east description

This trip is suitable for well-equipped people with previous backcountry tramping experience. Make sure you understand what you need to Know before you go.

From the western side, the route starts at Morrisons footbridge on SH73, near Aickens corner. It follows the Deception River, crosses the Main Divide at Goat Pass, then follows the Mingha River to come out at SH73 by Greyneys Shelter.

Note: True left and true right refer to the side of the valley or river when facing and looking downstream.

Morrisons footbridge (SH73, Aickens corner) – Deception River – Goat Pass Hut

Time: 8–9 hr

Note: The western part of this route involves a lot of riverbed travel; route times are highly changeable depending on the current state of the river crossings.

From SH73 Morrisons footbridge crosses the Otira River. Follow the marked route through river flats on the true right of the Deception River until the river narrows and turns into a gorge. From here cross to the true left and continue upstream. The route further up Deception valley crosses the river numerous times with travel primarily being in the river bed, although there are some tracked sections.

After travelling upstream for about 11 km, a prominent creek (Dorreen Creek) joins the Deception River on the true left. A marked track begins here on the true right of Dorreen Creek. A further kilometre on from Dorreen Creek the track re-emerges beside the river. Cross here and be sure to spot the orange marker on the other side indicating the location of the Upper Deception Hut.

From the Upper Deception Hut the route involves scrambling and boulder-hopping up the riverbed and through adjacent bush (sometimes on distinct sections of track that may be marked) for around 1 hour, before a final crossing of the Deception River (onto the true left). At this point you leave the Deception River to scramble up a steep side stream for about 500 m to reach Goat Pass Hut.

The hut has a radio linked to Arthur’s Pass Visitor Centre. Calls can be made during office hours, 7 days a week, for weather forecasts and information. Goat Pass can be extremely cold and dramatically different from the lower sections of the route.

Side trip: Lake Mavis

Time: 2 hr

For parties in the summer with time in hand at Goat Pass, the 500 m climb to Lake Mavis is worthwhile. Climb the steep tussock and scree on the spur running east from Goat Pass, then follow the cairned ridge route – perhaps the easiest access to a high-level lake in the park.

This area is subject to avalanche activity during the winter. During heavy snow conditions, we advise visitors not to travel this route unless sufficiently equipped, and experienced enough to assess the conditions and choose a safe path through avalanche terrain.

Goat Pass Hut – Mingha River – Greyneys Shelter (SH73)

Time: 5 hr

From the hut the track passes through subalpine scrub whilst crossing over Goat Pass (1,070 m) before descending to the headwaters of the Mingha River. Once this is crossed, follow the marked track on the true right of the river to reach Mingha Bivvy.

Warning: Mingha Bivvy is located in known avalanche paths. Avalanches are most likely to occur during and following heavy snowfall or rain when snow loading is present on the upper mountain slopes. Do not use this hut during these high-risk periods. Check Arthur's Pass avalanche forecast

For the next 3 km the track undulates through bush before it steepens for a short section to reach Dudley Knob. The track passes through bush for another 1 km, sidling high above the Mingha Gorge before emerging onto the expansive flats of the lower Mingha River.

Continue heading downstream for 3.5 km, aiming for the power poles and the Bealey River in the distance and crossing the Mingha River where necessary. Once the Bealey River is reached, cross it above its meeting with the Mingha River. The rivers are constantly changing course so you will need to find the best place to cross.

Once the Bealey River is crossed, take care crossing the railway tracks to reach SH73. Greyneys Shelter campsite is a further 500 m south.

Those running the Coast to Coast need to continue along the Bealey riverbed for a further 2–3 km to come out at Klondyke Corner.

Getting there

Morrisons footbridge is 5 km west of the Otira township on SH73. Car parking options are limited and we advise not leaving vehicles on the roadside longer than one day. There are better car parking options at the eastern end of the route.

There are also shuttle bus services between Christchurch and Greymouth